BOYS

Jason Tucker

SCHOOL: Newbury Park

SPORT: Football

YEAR: Senior

SEASON AT A GLANCE: Tucker, a wide receiver, has had an excellent season after taking over the position vacated by graduated standout Jason Toohey. Tucker is 13th in the state in receptions with 66 for 1,176 yards and 10 touchdowns. His play has been a key for the Panthers (13-0), who will meet Hawthorne in the Southern Section Division III championship game Saturday night at Moorpark College.

WEEK AT A GLANCE: With Bell Gardens double-teaming Newbury Park’s more-celebrated senior receiver, Leodes Van Buren, during the semifinals at Bell Gardens, Tucker caught 12 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns in helping the Panthers to a 43-26 victory. In the first 3 1/2 minutes, Newbury Park trailed, 14-0. “That game was a great reality check for us,” Tucker said. “I knew I had to step up or that would have been the worst bus ride of my life going home.”